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Tag: authentic

  • I’m authentic Ogun PDP governorship candidate, says Kashamu

    •·Senator is a clown, says PDP

    The senator representing Ogun East, Buruji Kashamu, yesterday insisted that he is the authentic candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

    He urged the party’s National Chairman Uche Secondus not to elevate party supremacy above the Judiciary.

    Kashamu said he and his running mate, Dr. Reuben Abati, are the candidates of the people for the governorship poll in Ogun State.

    He said the ticket was the expressed wishes of the people, which, he added, was equally affirmed by the courts.

    The senator, who stated this while addressing thousands of party supporters in Ijebu-Igbo, the headquarters of Ijebu North Local Government Area, after he was unveiled by the Dayo Bayo-led arm of the Ogun State PDP as the party’s governorship candidate, admitted that the party is supreme but “it is not superior to the Judiciary”.

    According to him, nobody should continue to act in contempt of the teeming members, leaders, elders of the party and the courts in the name of “party supremacy”.

    Kashamu, who also extended his hands of fellowship to every member of the party – the agreeable and disagreeable ones – assured of his readiness, ability and willingness to work with everyone in the overall interest of the PDP.

    He said: “Politics is like a game of chess: it is full of intrigues, ups and downs. But the mammoth crowd you have seen here says it all. We would not be distracted. We are focused on our Mission of Taking Ogun State to Greater Heights.

    “I am a grassroots politician; a proud Ijebu man and a good citizen of Ogun State who is loved by the people.

    “By the grace of the Almighty Allah, I am an entrepreneur; an employer of labour with several years of experience in business and human resources management.

    “In 2015, when I contested to represent the good people of Ogun East Senatorial District, I promised selfless representation. That is what I have given.

    “And there is no better proof than the over 90 projects we have attracted to various parts of Ogun East Senatorial District. They are the firsts among equals. No one has that record in our senatorial district.

    “As you are aware, I have also touched many lives and communities outside Ogun East and Ogun State through the Omoilu Foundation.

    “This aspiration affords me yet another opportunity to continue to touch lives in diverse ways and on a bigger plane.

    “Since government is a continuum, I believe we would continue from where the current government stops and, together, we would take our dear Ogun State to greater heights.

    “As presented by my running mate, Dr. Reuben Abati, we have a blueprint that outlines our programmes and policies, if you vote us as your governor and deputy governor on March 2, 2019. Will you vote for us?…”

    But the PDP yesterday described Kashamu as a clown who is desperate to destabilise the party.

    A statement by its spokesman Kola Ologbondiyan described as the height of ridicule, the senator’s purported presentation of himself as Ogun State governorship candidate of the party.

    Last week, the PDP presented its governorship flag for Ogun State to a House of Representatives member, Mr Ladi Adebutu, recognising him as the party’s candidate for the state.

    The statement said: “Senator Buruji, in his forced hallucination, has failed to realise that Nigerians, particularly the voters in Ogun State, have seen through his antics; they know that he is not the PDP governorship candidate in Ogun State; they know that he has a pact with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to destabilise the PDP; they also know that he is a clown on a journey to nowhere.

    “Nigerians are aware that Senator Buruji never purchased PDP nomination form; never participated in our governorship primary or in any process related to nomination of governorship candidate of our party or any position whatsoever.

    “Those using Senator Buruji as their agent have turned him into an object of public ridicule, particularly in his charade of organising a rally to hand a fake flag to himself.

    “The PDP, therefore, urges the people of Ogun State to completely disregard Senator Buruji as a clown and continue in their support for the PDP governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, who is already coasting to victory.”

    “This is your sure ticket for Taking Ogun State to Greater Heights. The Adebayo Dayo-led Ogun State Exco is the only authentic and legally recognised PDP structure in the state. The people have spoken; the courts have affirmed it and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has complied.

    “Truly, the party is supreme. But it is not superior to the Judiciary. People cannot continue to act in contempt of the teeming members, leaders and elders of the party and the courts – all in the name of ‘party supremacy’.

    “At some point, like in saner climes, the Judiciary must intervene and rein in those acting in utter disregard of our party’s constitution and the laws of the land. That is what has happened in our case.

    “The national leadership of our party supervised and approved the congresses that produced the Adebayo Dayo-led State Exco in 2016.

    “There have been several court judgments that affirmed the validity of the State Exco under the leadership of Adebayo Dayo.

    “In the build-up to the 2019 general elections, congresses were conducted by the Dayo-led State Exco, in line with Section 25 (1) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017), which states that ‘There shall be a State Party Congress which shall consist of: (a) The State Chairman, who shall be the Chairman’. Section 25 (2c) states further, ‘The functions of the State Congress shall be to: (c) Elect governorship candidates of the Party’.

    “That is all we have done. So, if anyone decides to go and collect a flag in an office in Abuja, it does not bother us. They say they are the candidates of the party.

    “We say we are the candidates of the people and the Rule of Law. As the governorship candidate of the PDP in Ogun State, I extend my hands of fellowship to all and sundry. I am ready, able and willing to work with everyone in the overall interest of our party.

    “My dear good people of Ogun State, I am your son, your servant and a true representative of the people. I am willing, ready and able to serve you. I urge you to elect me, Alaanu Mekunnu (Benefactor of the Poor) as your governor. Mine will be a people-oriented government.”

     

     

  • Authentic!

    We live in a world in which things are largely judged by appearances. We appreciate a building because it is massive and beautiful. We appreciate a car because it is luxurious and expensive. We appreciate a person because he is handsome or she is beautiful. We appreciate a job because it pays well and has good benefits. And the list goes on and on. Actually, it would be inhuman not to appreciate all these things and more. But are these qualities enough?

    How many massive buildings exist with critical structural challenges? How many luxurious vehicles have been recalled because of major technical errors, after they have claimed lives? How many people have regretted the day they met the beautiful or handsome significant other in their lives? How many glamorous jobs have turned out to be traps? How many times have the appearances we based our decisions on turned out to be false?

    Appearance may sell a product but it would take more than that to sustain a business. Appearance may marry a wife or husband but living together is another ballgame. Sometimes you even try a new delicacy just to realise that your body system does not agree with it. We’ve got to pause long enough to avoid making critical life decisions based on little or no information. As an expert in public relations, it would amount to deliberate misinformation if I tell you that appearance is not important because it definitely is. Appearance is like a magnet that attracts. There are several things or people we may never approach without an initial attraction. So, appearance has its strong place. However, attraction can wear out as quickly as it came if it is not backed up by substance. “Reality” can make appearance pale in comparison when the unexpected occur. We can do a reality check by asking the following questions:

    1. Am I properly informed? All the decisions we make in life revolve around information. While we make some decisions based on quality information, we make others based on little or no information, or even outright assumption. It is also possible that we sometimes make decisions based on deception. Whatever the case may be, the result is either satisfaction or dissatisfaction. Due to inordinate desire to impress, several people create images that they cannot live up to. Imagine your disappointment when you discover that you have been deceived by mere appearance! Therefore, it is important to spend quality effort peeling back the layers to see what lies beneath the surface. If all the people we deal with are always as good as they appeared to be, how fantastic our world would have been?
    2. Am I authentic? It is easier for us to point out fake products and persons than for us to admit that we are too! Can people take us at our word? Are we as real in public as we are when we are alone? What can the people close to us say that would ruin our “well-manicured” public image? Can we deliver excellent results with little or no supervision? Can we be trusted to act in public interest or will self-interest mar our judgement?

    Being authentic is being real. When you pay for a product or service, you expect to get your money’s worth. When people engage you in a business, they don’t expect any less. When someone accepts you as a friend, he/she does not expect any less. If you live an authentic life, you will not have to struggle to maintain several identities. Imagine what our nation will be like if every politician, contractor, businessman, corporate organisation, etc becomes authentic? Don’t just be a “fake detector”, be authentic.

    Thanks for reading my article today. I would really love to hear from you. So, do share your views with me by sending SMS to 07034737394, visiting www.olanreamodu.com and following me on twitter @lanreamodu. Remember, you are currently nothing compared to what you can become. Don’t lock your potentials in; let them breathe!

  • I’m authentic Ogun PDP chairman, says Dayo

    I’m authentic Ogun PDP chairman, says Dayo

    A factional Chairman of Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Adebayo Dayo, has dismissed the insinuation of a parallel executive committe in the chapter. He insisted that the Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee recognises only his executive, even before the Supreme Court judgment. He spoke with LEKE SALAUDEEN on reconciliation moves within the party, the defection of aggrieved members and other partisan issues

    WilL you say the Supreme Court judgment has finally resolved the PDP crisis?

    When we talk of a big party like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), there is no way a court ruling can resolve the crisis. There are so many interest groups. The court has only declared the Ahmed Makarfi group as authentic. The court did not say the other group should leave the party. It is now left to the party leadership to explore means of harmonising contending interests, unify the members so that our great party will regain its status and bounce back to power very soon. In politics, there is no permanent foe but permanent interest. Where you have divergent interest there will be disagreement. What matter most is putting in place the mechanism for crisis resolution within the party.

    What steps have you taken towards unifying the party in Ogun State?

    I used to relate with both Senator Makarfi and Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff when the crisis was on. Both of them are my leaders. Now that the Supreme Court had ruled that Makarfi is the leader, we must obey the court judgment. Makarfi meant well for the party; he’s preaching unity. While commenting on the court judgment, he said “no victor, no vanquished”. We are going to unite the party and work ahead of 2019.

    We have just held a state working committee of the PDP here at the party’s secretariat and we have resolved to go out and plead with our members to accommodate one another in order to have a strong PDP in Ogun State.

    What of the parallel executives in the state chapter?

    There is nothing like PDP parallel executive in Ogun. The congress that produced the executive I am heading was conducted under the supervision of the panel sent from the PDP national secretariat, Abuja with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials in attendance as observers. The executive was recognised by both PDP national headquarters and INEC. I’m the authentic PDP chairman in Ogun.

    It was on this basis that the National Caretaker Committee of the PDP wrote a letter dated July 27, 2016 which was addressed to me on “Harmonisation of State PDP Executive”. The letter signed by the Secretary, National Caretaker Committee, Senator Ben Obi spelt out the sharing formula for representation at the state executive and nomination for local government election. It was categorically stated that in Central Senatorial District, Hon Dimeji Bankole group will take 50 per cent of the state executive council members and nominees for Local Government elections and for Ikene, Remo North, Sagamu Federal Constituency, Hon Ladi Adebutu group will take 25 per cent of the state executive members and nominees for local government elections.

    I called a meeting to brief the two groups on this letter but they refused to honour my invitation. The national caretaker committee did the right through the sharing formula by including every group interest but the people concerned have refused to obey the party’s directive.

    Are you contemplating of defecting if the table turn against you?

    I am a founding member of PDP. I have never left the party. When I leave the PDP, I will go to my house and spend the rest of my life with my family. At 72, what am I going to do in another party? What position will I be looking for? I will not defect to another party. My mandate is to be PDP Chairman in Ogun State. I will defend my mandate. I will uphold the rule of law in discharging my functions.

    Members of the Sheriff group in the Southwest that decamped to Mega Party of Nigeria (MGN) alleged that Makarfi group was not magnanimous in victory. Do you agree?

    They decamped because their rights have been tampered with by the powers that be in the affected states. For instance, in Ekiti, Governor Fayose had illegally set up PDP state executive against the one that emerged from the state congress; Mimiko did similar thing. In Osun State Iyiola Omisore also unilaterally set up an executive. They have the right to react against these illegalities which have trampled on their fundamental rights. A political party is not owned by an individual. You can’t lord things over the people. The affected members are my colleagues. I know what they had gone through.

    They were pushed to the wall when the new Southwest PDP leaders said they would grant them amnesty before they could be reabsorbed into the party. Are they criminals? It is only a criminal that you can grant amnesty. It is unfortunate that some leaders are acting against Makarfi’s “no victor no vanquished” mantra. Makarfi meant well for the party. He believes that we should put our differences behind; accommodate one and other in other to make PDP regain its strength.

    For instance, if Sikirulah Ogundele and his group decide to come back into the mainstream today, we will accommodate them despite the fact we have a criminal case pending against Ogundele in court.  We will not say we are granting them amnesty. The word amnesty is wrong; it sends wrong signals. We will fuse together and work for the benefit of our great party. That is what we need now in PDP. We should stop discriminating or labelling some people as rebels. It will take us nowhere.

    Do you think the PDP can wrestle power from the APC in 2019?

    Yes it is possible APC is not performing. They have failed the people that elected them into office. They made many promises but couldn’t deliver. I can’t see anything good in APC government. Cost of living is going up on daily basis; prices of goods have increased that they are no longer avoidable by the people; unemployment is very high in the country; everybody is complaining about the government. With all these problems, APC have disappointed Nigerians; that’s why people are yearning for the return of PDP power. APC is going nowhere in 2019. In Ogun, PDP is the party to beat in 2019. Governor Amosun and his party should start packing out of Government House ahead of 2019 elections.

     

  • ‘Sheriff is authentic PDP national chairman’

    ‘Sheriff is authentic PDP national chairman’

    Senator Fatimat Raji-Rasaki, representing Ekiti Central, has declared that Ali Modu Sheriff is the authentic national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    She made the declaration yesterday in Ado-Ekiti while speaking with reporters at the end of a three-day capacity building training on Information Communication Technology (ICT) she organised for 100 beneficiaries in her senatorial district.

    Mrs. Raji-Rasaki, who chairs the  Senate Committee on Trade and Investment, said the era of impunity was dead in the PDP.

    She said the Court of Appeal judgment, which affirmed Sheriff as national chairman, had afforded the party an opportunity to put its house in order.

    The lawmaker said recent developments in Ekiti and at the national level, would enable the PDP prepare ahead of the 2019 general election.

    She described the Court of Appeal judgment as a “new lease of life’’ for the party.

    The senator, who distributed free laptops to participants, said anybody who wants to make impact in today’s world must be empowered technologically.

  • I’m authentic PDP candidate, says Jegede

    I’m authentic PDP candidate, says Jegede

    Following the Abuja Federal High Court ruling that went in favour of the candidate of the Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim,   the flag bearer of the party in the November 26 governorship election in Ondo State, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, at a fund-raising event in Lagos, has insisted that he remains the candidate because he was not a party to the suit.

    The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), has allayed fears that he is at risk of losing the ticket, following the recent court judgment. He said that he was not a party to the Abuja Federal High Court suit that favoured the candidate of the Modu Sheriff-led faction, Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim.

    Jegede, who spoke at a fund-raising event in Lagos tagged, ‘An Evening with Eyitayo Jegede’, said he discovered after studying the case that it was about the 2019 general elections and not about his mandate as the flag bearer.

    He said: “I want to again reassure you that I am the candidate of the PDP in Ondo State; I am not a party to any suit; I have not been sued as the PDP candidate and I have not sued anybody. Our party, the PDP, which is a defendant in the case filed by persons that were not governorship aspirants or contestants, has filed an appeal at a higher court and I believe that justice will take its course.”

    The PDP flag bearer said that Ondo State has always been noted for peace and tranquility and that there is no need for anyone to fret over any suit aimed at causing disaffection.

    The candidate, who was visibly moved by the array of eminent indigenes and other Nigerians that came to support his aspiration, said he would consolidate on the achievements of Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

    He said: “Previous administrations have done their best to develop the state, but I am promising you tonight that we will do even more.” For instance, he said the shuttle service for pupils and students in the state is a novelty that should never be abandoned, because parents no longer get worried about the need to pay for their children’s transportation while attending school.

    Jegede added: “Again, the delivery of free health delivery system for pregnant women that has led to a drastic reduction in maternal deaths also has to be continued. For instance, between 18 and 24 deliveries take place every day under the scheme, at no cost and regardless of whether you are an indigene of Ondo State or not.”

    He said if voted as governor, he would focus, on not only infrastructural development, but also on the establishment of big-time industries that will provide sustainable jobs for the teaming population of the unemployed. The PDP candidate said he has designed an economic blueprint for reviving moribund industries and establishing of a power plant to keep the industries going.

    The candidate promised to make the cocoa business a worthwhile venture, adding that, in a season, the state produces between 78 and 84 tonnes of cocoa, which is marketed both locally and internationally.

    The chairman of the occasion, Prince Dapo Adelegan, said Jegede is dependable and purposeful, adding that as a technocrat, he would swing into action immediately he is sworn in.

    Adelegan, who is the President of Nigerian/British Chambers of Commerce and Industries, added: “There is a global recession now that has also affected the Nigerian economy adversely. What we need in Ondo State is a technocrat as governor, not necessarily a politician; someone who would put the state on the path of economic progress.”

    Governor Mimiko was represented by the Commissioner for Finance, Chief Yele Ogundipe.

    At another gathering in Akure, the Ondo State capital, Jegede promised to institute a comprehensive insurance policy for farmers at all levels in the state, if elected.

    The legal practitioner, who spoke about his plans to boost the economy of the state said his government would do everything within its means to make farming an enviable profession, both for practicing farmers and youths that are prepared to embrace the profession with the ultimate aim of becoming employers of labour.

    Jegede, who is the former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, said farmers would experience the best of times under his administration, adding they would be insured against any eventuality, including attack by herdsmen. The insurance scheme, he added, would also cover fish farmers against flood.

    The PDP candidate said he would empower cocoa farmers to enhance the production of premium cocoa for export.

    His words: “Because of my priority for the economy in general and farming in particular, I will institute a scheme where our farmers will be insured against any eventuality, including herdsmen attack. The businesses of our farmers, including fish farmers, will be insured, so that when they suffer any loss, there will be compensation for them.”

    Emphasising that farming will be giving a special place in his government; Jegede said state farms would be created where farmers would be given lands to function, aside the running of their private farms.

    He added: “There will be state farms in all the senatorial districts where farmers would have the opportunity to earn more and employ people as well. They will also get free seedling.

    “We want to make our people self-reliant as much as we can and we are determined to compliment what the present government is doing in that direction and bring more innovations that will make farming a preferred profession in the state

    “The present government has done well in this regard, especially as it affects young farmers who have practically become self-reliant through the various agro business centres in Ore, Auga and Isuada among others.”

    He promised to empower farmers to leverage on their ability to produce cocoa and train them and as well on how to produce premium cocoa that will add value to their earning.

    Jegede also assured that his administration would continue to support the Mother and Child Hospital in Akure and the Mega Schools project, saying they are some of the people-oriented programmes of the Mimiko administration.

    The PDP flag bearer said he will ensure that the Mother and Child Hospital is built in three senatorial districts, in line with the focus of the government. He said schools that are yet to meet the standard of the Mimiko-led administration’s millennium-compliant Mega Schools will be upgraded to meet that standard.

    Jegede said the experience he has acquired as part of the incumbent administration in the last seven years would assist him to make impact.

    According to the former Commissioner, his position as an integral part of the Mimiko administration in the last seven years has given him an insight into what could be done to further raise the bar of governance.

    He said  the challenges of the time demanded that the best hand is engaged to address them, adding that he will rely on his  understanding of the state and its people, as well as his experience to develop the state.

    Jegede emphasized that the legacies of previous governments will be protected and that he will use the experience he acquired in government to pilot well the affairs of the state, even as he volunteered that he has perfected a blueprint for job creation and to grow the state’s economy to the desired position.

    He added: “There is a very clear idea of what I want to do; I have a clear policy of what I want to do, especially in the area of job creation and the economy.”